Carlo Kemp is Moving in Silence

Mar. 10 -- The 2016 Boulder (Colo.) Fairview four-star outside linebacker, Carlo Kemp, is one of the top defensive prospects on the West Coast, but he is not your typical high school standout...

Today so many prospects are on Twitter. Tweeting, re-tweeting, direct messaging...it can be a recruit's main form of communication, even with college coaches. It's not uncommon for a highly touted prospect to receive a few dozen direct messages on Twitter from college coaches every week.

It's very rare that a prospect doesn't like Tweeting or using Instagram, or even Facebook.

"I suppose I'm a bit incognito," Kemp said with a laugh. "I don't do any of that social media stuff. I feel like it is a distraction and a place where a lot of things can go wrong. I know that it's the common thing these days, and a lot of guys are doing their recruiting stuff on there, but it's not for me. The schools that are recruiting me know how to get in touch with me, so I'm not too worried about missing out on any of that."

A few programs, though have gone old-school to recruit Kemp, and it's cleary paying off.

"UCLA and Colorado are definitely the two schools after me the hardest right now," Kemp claimed. "Obviously, living in Boulder, I've had the chance to build up a strong relationship with the Buffaloes. I feel comfortable with them and have definitely thought about the idea of staying home. I've built a good relationship with UCLA, too. Coach (Taylor) Mazzone and assistant (Taylor) Embree at UCLA, as well. I like a lot of things about UCLA and would definitely consider playing there."

"I'm also hearing a lot from a few other schools that I would love to pick up offers from. I feel like Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, and Stanford are all close to offering me. In a month, we are headed out to Stanford for an unofficial visit. I'm pretty excited for that trip. Education is big for me. Right now, I have a 4.1 GPA, and definitely put a big emphasis on academics. I'm taking the SAT next week, so that will be big for a school like Stanford. Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan are all big too. Those places have great history and a lot of talent on their rosters. I want to play with the best and win a lot of games."

Kemp is open to anyone at this point, but the four-star DE/OLB has an idea of what he is looking for in a school.

"Along with education, one of the big things I am looking at is the depth chart," Kemp explained. "I want to go to a school where I can compete to see the field early. I love competing and just want that opportunity to work for a spot on the field. The relationship with the coaches and team is equally huge for me. I'm not really a guy that is big on the party scene and stuff like that. When people are doing that stuff, I am usually in the gym working out or hanging with my family. I'd love to go to a school that had a similar culture to that."

Outside of Kemp's stout 6-3 255 pound frame, there is a lot to like about the Boulder product. There are few prospects in the country that have been around the game of football like Kemp. He lives with his grandfather, Sam Pagano, who is one of the best high school coaches in Colorado football history. Then, there are his two uncles, Chuck and John Pagano, two of the most respected coaches in the NFL.

"I'm blessed with such a supportive family," Kemp shared. "I live with my grandpa, who is my greatest fan and also my best critic. He is always pushing me to be better and offering me great coaching advice. Uncle Chuck and John are always a text or phone call away and have been great mentors to me. That's my motivation right there. I want to play for one of my uncles in the NFL. I know to get there, I can never stop working to get better."

The tools are certainly there for Kemp. At nearly 260 pounds, Kemp is built like a strongside defensive end, but moves like an outside linebacker. He has a high motor and great technique. Over the past two years, Fairview is 23-2 and Kemp has been the driving force. This past season, Kemp had 66 tackles, 20 TFLs, 8 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles, despite a constant double team and occasional triple. He also chipped in 11 rushing touchdowns, proving to be a viable goal line back. Kemp has forced 13 turnovers and blocked 5 field goals in his last 20 games.

"I just give it my all every snap," Kemp stated. "Everything I have is left on the field every week. That's who I am. I hustle, I work hard, and I love and respect the game of football. Whatever school I commit to, I am going to sell out for my team and give it my all every single day."

While Kemp is primarily being recruited as an outside linebacker, he is going to make his money coming off of the edge. He has a great burst, a nice repertoire of power and finesse moves, and Pagano-sized football IQ. The intangibles are all there for Kemp. Look for his recruitment to pick up this off-season, with or without social media.